# Compiling CSS and JavaScript []({{ site.repo }}/blob/master/docs/_i18n/{{ site.lang }}/getting-started/grunt.md)
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Bootstrap table uses [Grunt](http://gruntjs.com/) for its build system, with convenient methods for working with the framework. It's how we compile our code, run tests, and more.
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## Installing Grunt
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To install Grunt, you must **first** [download and install node.js](http://nodejs.org/download/) (which includes npm). npm stands for [node packaged modules](http://npmjs.org/) and is a way to manage development dependencies through node.js.
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Then, from the command line:
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1. Install `grunt-cli` globally with `npm install -g grunt-cli`.
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2. Navigate to the root `/bootstrap-table/` directory, then run `npm install`. npm will look at the `package.json` file and automatically install the necessary local dependencies listed there.
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When completed, you'll be able to run the various Grunt commands provided from the command line.
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## Available Grunt commands
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### `grunt dist` (Just compile CSS and JavaScript)
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Regenerates the `/dist/` directory with compiled and minified CSS and JavaScript files. As a Bootstrap user, this is normally the command you want.
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### `grunt test` (Run tests)
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Runs [JSHint](http://jshint.com/) to test our code.
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### `grunt docs` (Build & test the docs assets)
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Builds and tests CSS, JavaScript, and other assets which are used when running the documentation locally via `jekyll serve`.
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### `grunt` (Build absolutely everything and run tests)
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Compiles and minifies CSS and JavaScript, builds the documentation website, runs the HTML5 validator against the docs, regenerates the Customizer assets, and more. Requires [Jekyll](http://jekyllrb.com/docs/installation/).
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## Troubleshooting
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Should you encounter problems with installing dependencies or running Grunt commands, first delete the `/node_modules/` directory generated by npm. Then, rerun `npm install`.
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